White Elephant Gift Exchange!
We will have an OPTIONAL “White Elephant” gift exchange during our “Read-In” on Friday, December 16th.
Kids who would like to take part are invited to bring a wrapped “present” that is either a gently used item from home, or a new item that was priced at $5.00 or less when purchased. Please do not put a “to” or “from” mark on your gift.
How the Game Works:
Every student who brings a gift will be given a number (the numbers will depend on the number of kids participating…for example: 1-18 if 18 students participate).
The student with “#1” will get to choose first from the pile of presents. They unwrap the present so everyone can see it. Then, #2 goes. They have the opportunity to pick a new present, OR “steal” the present that #1 opened already. (If that happens, #1 will go again, but cannot steal back that same present immediately). We will proceed in order in this manner until all of the gifts have been chosen.
Once a gift has been “stolen” three times, it is “frozen,” and the person who has it at that time will get to keep it.
If you would like to be part of this fun game- don’t forget to bring a wrapped present, and don’t tell anybody what it is!
See back for the history behind the name “White Elephant!”
A white elephant...
Meaning
A burdensome possession; creating more trouble than it is worth.
Origin
White (albino) elephants were regarded as holy in ancient times in Thailand and other Asian countries. Keeping a white elephant was a very expensive undertaking, since the owner had to provide the elephant with special food and provide access for people who wanted to worship it. If a Thai King became dissatisfied with a subordinate, he would give him a white elephant. The gift would, in most cases, ruin the recipient.
References to Indian and Thai veneration of white elephants dates back to at least the early 17th century. The first reference in English to the idiomatic meaning of the term 'white elephant' comes in 1851 G. E. Jewbury's Letters, 1892.
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